Translotor log trailer

Abstract

A device for transporting logs or the like in which a two-part, trailer is carried upon a truck bed for storage, then unloaded and assembled by a log loader provided at the rear of the truck bed. The first portion of the two-part trailer includes an axle having wheels and a forwardly extending tongue which attaches to the truck bed by means of a trailer eye and hook. The second portion of the two-part trailer attaches to the first portion by means of a fifth wheel type of attachment. After use, the two-part trailer is disassembled and nested in a set, secure position upon the truck bed.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A trailer for increasing the payload of a truck which is adapted to carry elongate articles such as logs, pipes or the like and is stored on said truck when not in use comprising, in combination: a forward trailer segment attached to a rear portion of said truck,   a rearward trailer segment attached to a back portion of said forward trailer,   means on a trailing portion of said truck for placing first said rearward and then said forward trailer segments on and off said truck and to load and unload said truck and trailers of their payload, and means for nesting said forward trailer segment and said rearward trailer segment,   wherein said nesting means comprises a wheeled axle on said forward trailer segment and cradle members on said rearward trailer segment dimensioned to receive said forward trailer axle,   wherein said rearward trailer segment includes an axle assembly slidably and rotatably disposed about and along the length of said rearward trailer segment to respectively provide nesting clearance during storage and a rear suspension system,   wherein said rearward trailer segment axle assembly includes locking means to limit relative sliding motion when in use,   wherein said forward trailer segment includes a support means graspable by said placing means which includes a tined claw on the truck for placement of said forward trailer between a stored and used position,   wherein said forward trailer segment includes a fifth wheel extending up from an axle assembly which carries said wheeled axle, said fifth wheel pivot thereto and adapted to attach to said rearward trailer segment,   including a support beam extending forwardly of said forward trailer axle assembly and having a latching eyelet at a leading end thereof, said latching eyelet adapted to connect to a hitch on the truck,   wherein said rearward trailer segment includes a forward fifth wheel assembly adapted to connect to said fifth wheel of said forward trailer segment, a rearwardly extending substantially cylindrical support beam upon which said axle assembly is disposed, said axle assembly and said fifth wheel supporting cross-beams transverse to said cylindrical support means having vertically extending posts to form log cradles,   wherein said locking means extends between said axle assembly to said support beam and includes a pivoted locking arm on said axle assembly engageable on a ring on said beam,   including electrical and hydraulic conduits extending rearwardly of the truck and carried on said trailers to operate respectively lights and brakes,   wherein said fifth wheel of said forward trailer includes a central bore defined by a depending cylindrical sleeve reinforced to a bottom face of said forward trailer fifth wheel,   said axle assembly of substantially inverted U shaped configuration having bearing means to fix said axle thereto,   brackets on both said U shaped axle assembly and said fifth wheel facing each other and interleaved, interconnected by axles between said brackets to provide articulation of said fifth wheel thereabout.   
     
     
       2. The device of claim 1, wherein said fifth wheel of said rearward trailer segment includes a shaft depending from a bottom face thereof dimensioned to be received within and locked in said cylindrical sleeve of said forward trailer fifth wheel. 
     
     
       3. The device of claim 2, wherein said rearward trailer axle assembly is an inverted substantially V shaped solid member having an octagonal top face and bearing means on lowermost ends carrying said axle, said cylindrical beam passing through said top face, and a pair of support brackets on a top face of said U shaped axle assembly to be grasped by said placing means, said support brackets including a base section and upwardly and outwardly splayed top portions. 
     
     
       4. The device of claim 3, wherein said cradle members are formed from an axle extending transversely from said cylindrical beam on diametrically opposed horizontal portions thereof, and upwardly extending U shaped members on said cradle axle dimensioned to receive said axle of said forward trailer during storage.